Book Blogger Hop is a weekly feature hosted by Billy at Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer. Each week, a new book related question is posted and everyone can share their answers. This week’s question is:
How much do online reviews shape what you pick up next?
I think this depends on the context. For me, online reviews are not what I use to pick my next book to read. Most of the time, that is determined by what reading challenges I’m working on, lists I’m picking off of, or just vibes. I don’t think online reviews really factor into that too much. I do enjoy reading reviews, but mostly if it’s for a book I’ve already read, because I like to see if other people felt the same way I did about certain stories. Occasionally if I see a review for a new-to-me book that looks interesting, I will add that book to my TBR, but we all know that doesn’t mean that I will read it in any certain time frame. I’ve had books on my TBR for years!
Be sure to check out the other answers of this week’s Book Blogger Hop and let me know if online reviews help you choose your next read!
Categories: Book Blogger Hop
I find new books via Blog Tours, Netgalley and social media. I get the general idea of whether people like the book or not from their posts. I try not to let it influence me too much!
Have a great week!
Emily @ Budget Tales Book Blog
My post:
Reading is so subjective anyway – I’ve liked plenty of books that had negative reviews, and I’ve been very disappointed by books that people raved about. The only time a review will sway me is if it highlights something that’s genuinely offensive or subject matter that I find triggering. Then I know to stay away from it.
It is.
That sounds like a good way to read them. I try to keep my reviews as factual as possible eg I’ll comment on chapter length, the flow and pace of the book. Things that people can compare and know if they like.
I’m much the same—I enjoy reading reviews and they may add a book to my TBR, but they rarely determine what I’ll actually pick up next. And yes, some of those TBR books seem to live there for years! Happy Reading!
Some of mine have been there for an embarrassingly long amount of time. I really need to work on it at some point.
Hmm, I’d say I draw a bit of a distinction between the fact that online reviews help me pick what to buy (or borrow), but then nothing but whim picks what I actually get round to reading, ahaha.
When it comes to buying a book, reviews are more likely to be a factor that makes me decide not to buy than being what actually convinces me to buy — that’s usually the blurb or sample.
Yeah, I’m more swayed to not purchase a book based on reviews rather than convinced to get it. Everyone has different opinions on books and there have been plenty of books that people loved that I just . . . didn’t get the hype.
This is a well thought out response! While book reviews can certainly instigate me to add a book to my TBR list, mood is what dictates what I’ll read next.
Oh yeah, we’re definitely going off vibes over here, that’s for sure!